Dismissal of 5 police over holiday gun-firing pushed

THE Officer-in-Charge of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday ordered summary dismissal proceedings against all police personnel who fired their guns during the holiday season.

Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina gave the order after five policemen were found to have fired their service firearms during the season in violation of an earlier order banning the practice.

“We will immediately proceed against them both administratively and criminally (to seek) their dismissal from the service,” Espina told reporters in Camp Crame, the PNP’s main headquarters located in Quezon City.

Espina said Baliccud of the Manila Police District (MPD), who was reportedly drunk when he fired his gun repeatedly, has already been charged.

The PNP National Operations Center said it has documented and confirmed more than 30 cases involving stray bullets including one in Abra province where an 11-year-old girl was killed.

Twenty such cases were reported during the holiday season in 2013.

Ramos, also of the MPD, was seen firing his 9mm service pistol on December 16 on Peñalosa Street., Barangay 60, Zone 4, Tondo, Manila.

A witness who saw Bouchard, also of the MPD, firing his gun in the air reported the incident to Rolando Torres, village chairman of Barangay 60, who immediately arrested the policeman for illegal discharging his firearm.

Ballicud, who is detailed at Police Station 5, was seen firing his gun late night of December 22 along Tomas Pinpin Street in Binondo, Manila. He also threatened several civilians who were passing by the area.

Reyes reportedly fired his service firearm for still unknown reasons on Christmas Day in Sitio Pulang Lupa in Barangay Santo Nino of San Mateo, Rizal.

Velasco was seen firing his service firearm in front of the Laak Municipal Police Station in Compostela Valley where he is detailed.

He was disarmed after firing his Glock 9mm but escaped. He is being tracked down by fellow policemen.

“They (five policemen) are facing alarm and scandal (charges) and they could be penalized with one rank demotion and a fine of P200,” Mayor told reporters during the briefing.

He said these policemen if found guilty could be facing up to 180 days of suspension.

The Quezon City Police District director, Senior Supt. Joel Pagdilao, also on Friday reported that none among his officers and men indiscriminately fired their guns in during New Year revelry, except one from the Novaliches Police Station 4 who fired his firearm on December 28.